Fuzzy Logic-Based Control for a Morphing Wing Tip Actuation System: Design, Numerical Simulation, and Wind Tunnel Experimental Testing

The paper presents the design, numerical simulation, and wind tunnel experimental testing of a fuzzy logic-based control system for a new morphing wing actuation system equipped with Brushless DC (BLDC) motors, under the framework of an international project between Canada and Italy. Morphing wing is a prime concern of the aviation industry and, due to the promising results, it can improve fuel optimization. In this idea, a major international morphing wing project has been carried out by our university team from Canada, in collaboration with industrial, research, and university entities from our country, but also from Italy, by using a full-scaled portion of a real aircraft wing equipped with an aileron. The target was to conceive, manufacture, and test an experimental wing model able to be morphed in a controlled manner and to provide in this way an extension of the laminar airflow region over its upper surface, producing a drag reduction with direct impact on the fuel consumption economy. The work presented in the paper aims to describe how the experimental model has been developed, controlled, and tested, to prove the feasibility of the morphing wing technology for the next generation of aircraft.

[1]  Antonio Concilio,et al.  Optimization and integration of shape memory alloy (SMA)-based elastic actuators within a morphing flap architecture , 2012 .

[2]  S. Faruque Ali,et al.  Structural and Aerodynamics Studies on Various Wing Configurations for Morphing , 2018 .

[3]  Andrei Vladimir Popov,et al.  A New Morphing Wing Mechanism Using Smart Actuators Controlled by a Self-Tuning Fuzzy Logic Controller , 2011 .

[4]  J. N. Kudva,et al.  Overview of the DARPA Smart Wing Project , 2004 .

[5]  R. Pecora,et al.  Airfoil Structural Morphing Based on S.M.A. Actuator Series: Numerical and Experimental Studies , 2011 .

[6]  Cristian Barbu,et al.  Experimental Characterisation of Hyperelastic Materials for Use in a Passive-Adaptive Membrane on MAVs Wing , 2017 .

[7]  Gianluca Amendola,et al.  Numerical and experimental validation of a full scale servo-actuated morphing aileron model , 2018 .

[8]  Patrick Wheeler,et al.  An overview of the more electrical aircraft , 2013 .

[9]  Mahdi Mahfouf,et al.  Fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno Kang model predictive control for process engineering , 1999 .

[10]  Gregory F Ervin,et al.  Mission Adaptive Compliant Wing – Design , Fabrication and Flight Test , 2009 .

[11]  Ruxandra Botez,et al.  Closed-loop control validation of a morphing wing using wind tunnel tests , 2010 .

[12]  Norman M. Wereley,et al.  Pneumatic Artificial Muscles for Aerospace Applications , 2009 .

[13]  Enrico Cestino,et al.  Design, analysis and experimental testing of a morphing wing , 2017 .

[14]  Ruxandra Botez,et al.  Drag optimisation of a wing equipped with a morphing upper surface , 2016, The Aeronautical Journal.

[15]  C. Liauzun,et al.  Study of Morphing Winglet Concepts Aimed at Improving Load Control and the Aeroelastic Behavior of Civil Transport Aircraft , 2018 .

[16]  Ruxandra Botez,et al.  Modeling and testing of a morphing wing in open-loop architecture , 2010 .

[17]  T. L. Grigorie,et al.  How the Airfoil Shape of a Morphing Wing Is Actuated and Controlled in a Smart Way , 2015 .

[18]  Michael Galea,et al.  Electrical Power Generation in Aircraft: Review, Challenges, and Opportunities , 2018, IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

[19]  Gianluca Amendola,et al.  Distributed actuation concepts for a morphing aileron device , 2016 .

[20]  Larry D. Peel,et al.  Development of a Simple Morphing Wing Using Elastomeric Composites as Skins and Actuators , 2009 .

[21]  Ruxandra Botez,et al.  An Intelligent Controller based Fuzzy Logic Techniques for a Morphing Wing Actuation System using Shape Memory Alloy , 2011 .

[22]  Tomohiro Yokozeki,et al.  Development of Variable Camber Morphing Airfoil Using Corrugated Structure , 2014 .

[23]  Ruxandra Botez,et al.  Control strategies for an experimental morphing wing model , 2014 .

[24]  Ruxandra Botez,et al.  Real Time Morphing Wing Optimization Validation Using Wind-Tunnel Tests , 2010 .

[25]  Ruxandra Botez,et al.  A new method for tuning PI gains for position control of BLDC motor based wing morphing actuators , 2015 .

[26]  Yanju Liu,et al.  Morphing aircraft based on smart materials and structures: A state-of-the-art review , 2016 .